Temporary traffic lights and huge tailbacks are frustrating drivers in Peckham – as the council says Rye Lane should return to normal by the end of this week.
Road users have taken to Twitter to share their frustration with the temporary signals at the junction of Rye Lane and Copeland Road, which they say are creating ‘permanent tail backs’ and have made the roads ‘a total mess’.
@TfLTrafficNews ridiculous temporary traffic lights at Rye Lane / Copeland Rd junction #Peckham #SE15 #RyeLane. It’s been weeks, causing permanent tailbacks. Please do something
— John Madden (@wingfieldj) September 2, 2018
@lb_southwark When will something be done about traffic on Peckham Rye. It's a total mess
— carole jacob (@carolejacob1) August 31, 2018
@lb_southwark please could you get the contractor doing the roadworks at junction of rye lane to change the sequence and timing on traffic lights. The delays are unnecessary. Many thanks. #peckhamroadworks
— Jill Rowe (@JillboRowe) September 3, 2018
The temporary signals were put in place last month while the council renovates the pavement and kerb as part of its usual maintenance work.
But drivers say the temporary signals are poorly timed and making delays more likely – creating a bottleneck through Rye Lane and neighbouring roads.
Cllr Richard Livingstone, Cabinet Member for environment, transport management and air quality, said: “We are currently renovating our pavements as part of our footway refurbishment programme, this looks to create improved, safe and comfortable walkways for our residents.
“These temporary traffic lights are essential for the safety of the workers carrying out these improvements.
“We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused but can confirm that it will be short lived and the signals at the junction of Rye Lane will revert to their usual operation by the end of this week.
“Further works will continue along Copeland Road until the end of the month, but these will allow normal operation of the traffic signals at the junction of Peckham Rye.”